Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is L-Arginine?Evidence in AnimalsEvidence in HumansPotential Risks
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is L-Arginine?
Evidence in Animals
Evidence in Humans
Potential Risks
L-arginineis a supplement available at many retailers and online shops that is claimed to have beneficial effects on blood pressure.
This article explains whatL-arginineis and whether the evidence supports its use for treating high blood pressure.
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L-arginine (also known simply as arginine) is an amino acid that the body uses to produce the chemical nitric oxide. This chemical is a potentvasodilator, which means it helps keep blood vessels open.
Nitric oxide plays a significant role in the health of blood vessels.
Studies have noted that a lack of arginine can lead to a decrease in nitric oxide available in the body.
Arginine is a non-toxic substance that the body can easily excrete.
Early studies done in animals showed that arginine supplementation does lead to measurable declines in blood pressure. Therefore, proponents sometimes cite these studies as “evidence” that arginine supplements are a good, “natural” treatment for high blood pressure.
It is important to note that these studies were done in rats and in settings where researchers strictly controlled their diet. Therefore, these findings may not necessarily translate to humans.
Research into the effects of arginine was not designed to test its impact on blood pressure. Instead, researchers investigated the function of specific chemical and cellular systems in great detail.
A 2016 review of meta-analyses found that L-arginine reducessystolic and diastolic blood pressurein adults with hypertension. In addition, it found that it reduced diastolic blood pressure in pregnant people with gestational hypertension.
The authors advise approaching the results with caution because of the variability of the studies.
While these results are promising, the authors urge caution. That’s because the sample sizes were small, and the impact of supplementation on maternal and infant health is unknown.
An important thing to keep in mind is that arginine has to pass through thedigestive tractwhen you take it orally. This pathway is an inefficient way to get it to the places where it could produce nitric oxide.
As an amino acid, arginine is a part of animal and plant proteins, so it is usually plentiful in a well-balanced diet.Food sources of L-arginine include:SoyproteinPeanutsWalnutsFishCereals and grains
As an amino acid, arginine is a part of animal and plant proteins, so it is usually plentiful in a well-balanced diet.
Food sources of L-arginine include:
Unless researchers find evidence showing clear benefits, investing in a healthy diet that includes animal and plant proteins would be more effective. These whole foods have a clear and well-established impact on overall health.
In the review mentioned above, some participants noted gastrointestinal side effects from taking a daily L-arginine supplement. These side effects includeddiarrheaandnausea. However, the sample size was small. So, it is unclear how common these side effects might be.
L-arginine can have harmful drug interactions, and it may be unsafe to take it with medications used for treating high blood pressure, blood thinners, or other medications that affect blood vessel dilation.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medications, herbs, and supplements you are considering—including L-arginine, to lower the risk of harmful drug interactions.
Summary
Once a relatively rare product, L-arginine supplements have grown in popularity. Companies that produce the supplements claim beneficial effects including reduced blood pressure. However, there is insufficient evidence to support these claims.
A Word From Verywell
If you have high blood pressure, you might be looking for holistic ways to lower your blood pressure. Supplements,herbal medicine, and natural remedies are increasingly marketed to people withhigh blood pressure. Although there is insufficient evidence to support L-arginine supplements for treating high blood pressure, it can be safe for some people.
As with any medication or supplement, be sure to talk to your doctor before taking L-arginine.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rajapakse NW, Head GA, Kaye DM.Say NO to obesity-related hypertension: role of the L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway.Hypertension. 2016;67(5):813-819. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.116.06778Gambardella J, Khondkar W, Morelli MB, Wang X, Santulli G, Trimarco V.Arginine and endothelial function.Biomedicines. 2020;8(8):277. doi:10.3390/biomedicines8080277McRae MP.Therapeutic benefits of L-arginine: an umbrella review of meta-analyses.J Chiropr Med. 2016;15(3):184-189. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2016.06.002Camarena Pulido EE, García Benavides L, Panduro Barón JG, et al.Efficacy of L-arginine for preventing preeclampsia in high-risk pregnancies: a double-blind, randomized, clinical trial.Hypertens Pregnancy. 2016;35(2):217-225. doi:10.3109/10641955.2015.1137586Dorniak-Wall T, Grivell RM, Dekker GA, Hague W, Dodd JM.The role of L-arginine in the prevention and treatment of pre-eclampsia: a systematic review of randomised trials.J Hum Hypertens. 2014;28(4):230-235. doi:10.1038/jhh.2013.100Mirmiran P, Bahadoran Z, Ghasemi A, Azizi F.The association of dietary L-arginine intake and serum nitric oxide metabolites in adults: a population-based study.Nutrients. 2016;8(5):311. doi:10.3390/nu8050311Additional ReadingPool P.Neurohormonal activation in the treatment of congestive heart failure: Basis for new treatments?Cardiology. 1998;90(1):1-7. doi:10.1159/000006808Watanabe M, Ishikawa Y, Campbell W, Okada H.Measurement of arginine carboxypeptidase-generating activity of adult plasma.Microbiol Immunol. 1998;42(5):393-397. doi:10.1111/j.1348-0421.1998.tb02300.xZhu Q, Yue X, Tian Q, et al.Effect of l-arginine aupplementation on blood pressure in pregnant women: A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials.Hypertens Pregnancy. 2012;32(1):32-41. doi:10.3109/10641955.2012.697952
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rajapakse NW, Head GA, Kaye DM.Say NO to obesity-related hypertension: role of the L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway.Hypertension. 2016;67(5):813-819. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.116.06778Gambardella J, Khondkar W, Morelli MB, Wang X, Santulli G, Trimarco V.Arginine and endothelial function.Biomedicines. 2020;8(8):277. doi:10.3390/biomedicines8080277McRae MP.Therapeutic benefits of L-arginine: an umbrella review of meta-analyses.J Chiropr Med. 2016;15(3):184-189. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2016.06.002Camarena Pulido EE, García Benavides L, Panduro Barón JG, et al.Efficacy of L-arginine for preventing preeclampsia in high-risk pregnancies: a double-blind, randomized, clinical trial.Hypertens Pregnancy. 2016;35(2):217-225. doi:10.3109/10641955.2015.1137586Dorniak-Wall T, Grivell RM, Dekker GA, Hague W, Dodd JM.The role of L-arginine in the prevention and treatment of pre-eclampsia: a systematic review of randomised trials.J Hum Hypertens. 2014;28(4):230-235. doi:10.1038/jhh.2013.100Mirmiran P, Bahadoran Z, Ghasemi A, Azizi F.The association of dietary L-arginine intake and serum nitric oxide metabolites in adults: a population-based study.Nutrients. 2016;8(5):311. doi:10.3390/nu8050311Additional ReadingPool P.Neurohormonal activation in the treatment of congestive heart failure: Basis for new treatments?Cardiology. 1998;90(1):1-7. doi:10.1159/000006808Watanabe M, Ishikawa Y, Campbell W, Okada H.Measurement of arginine carboxypeptidase-generating activity of adult plasma.Microbiol Immunol. 1998;42(5):393-397. doi:10.1111/j.1348-0421.1998.tb02300.xZhu Q, Yue X, Tian Q, et al.Effect of l-arginine aupplementation on blood pressure in pregnant women: A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials.Hypertens Pregnancy. 2012;32(1):32-41. doi:10.3109/10641955.2012.697952
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Rajapakse NW, Head GA, Kaye DM.Say NO to obesity-related hypertension: role of the L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway.Hypertension. 2016;67(5):813-819. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.116.06778Gambardella J, Khondkar W, Morelli MB, Wang X, Santulli G, Trimarco V.Arginine and endothelial function.Biomedicines. 2020;8(8):277. doi:10.3390/biomedicines8080277McRae MP.Therapeutic benefits of L-arginine: an umbrella review of meta-analyses.J Chiropr Med. 2016;15(3):184-189. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2016.06.002Camarena Pulido EE, García Benavides L, Panduro Barón JG, et al.Efficacy of L-arginine for preventing preeclampsia in high-risk pregnancies: a double-blind, randomized, clinical trial.Hypertens Pregnancy. 2016;35(2):217-225. doi:10.3109/10641955.2015.1137586Dorniak-Wall T, Grivell RM, Dekker GA, Hague W, Dodd JM.The role of L-arginine in the prevention and treatment of pre-eclampsia: a systematic review of randomised trials.J Hum Hypertens. 2014;28(4):230-235. doi:10.1038/jhh.2013.100Mirmiran P, Bahadoran Z, Ghasemi A, Azizi F.The association of dietary L-arginine intake and serum nitric oxide metabolites in adults: a population-based study.Nutrients. 2016;8(5):311. doi:10.3390/nu8050311
Rajapakse NW, Head GA, Kaye DM.Say NO to obesity-related hypertension: role of the L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway.Hypertension. 2016;67(5):813-819. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.116.06778
Gambardella J, Khondkar W, Morelli MB, Wang X, Santulli G, Trimarco V.Arginine and endothelial function.Biomedicines. 2020;8(8):277. doi:10.3390/biomedicines8080277
McRae MP.Therapeutic benefits of L-arginine: an umbrella review of meta-analyses.J Chiropr Med. 2016;15(3):184-189. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2016.06.002
Camarena Pulido EE, García Benavides L, Panduro Barón JG, et al.Efficacy of L-arginine for preventing preeclampsia in high-risk pregnancies: a double-blind, randomized, clinical trial.Hypertens Pregnancy. 2016;35(2):217-225. doi:10.3109/10641955.2015.1137586
Dorniak-Wall T, Grivell RM, Dekker GA, Hague W, Dodd JM.The role of L-arginine in the prevention and treatment of pre-eclampsia: a systematic review of randomised trials.J Hum Hypertens. 2014;28(4):230-235. doi:10.1038/jhh.2013.100
Mirmiran P, Bahadoran Z, Ghasemi A, Azizi F.The association of dietary L-arginine intake and serum nitric oxide metabolites in adults: a population-based study.Nutrients. 2016;8(5):311. doi:10.3390/nu8050311
Pool P.Neurohormonal activation in the treatment of congestive heart failure: Basis for new treatments?Cardiology. 1998;90(1):1-7. doi:10.1159/000006808Watanabe M, Ishikawa Y, Campbell W, Okada H.Measurement of arginine carboxypeptidase-generating activity of adult plasma.Microbiol Immunol. 1998;42(5):393-397. doi:10.1111/j.1348-0421.1998.tb02300.xZhu Q, Yue X, Tian Q, et al.Effect of l-arginine aupplementation on blood pressure in pregnant women: A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials.Hypertens Pregnancy. 2012;32(1):32-41. doi:10.3109/10641955.2012.697952
Pool P.Neurohormonal activation in the treatment of congestive heart failure: Basis for new treatments?Cardiology. 1998;90(1):1-7. doi:10.1159/000006808
Watanabe M, Ishikawa Y, Campbell W, Okada H.Measurement of arginine carboxypeptidase-generating activity of adult plasma.Microbiol Immunol. 1998;42(5):393-397. doi:10.1111/j.1348-0421.1998.tb02300.x
Zhu Q, Yue X, Tian Q, et al.Effect of l-arginine aupplementation on blood pressure in pregnant women: A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials.Hypertens Pregnancy. 2012;32(1):32-41. doi:10.3109/10641955.2012.697952
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